Thousands gather at candlelight vigil for Sikh shooting victims

A family member prays in a parking lot while waiting to hear information about his loved ones inside the Sikh Temple on S. Howell Avenue where a shooting occurred, Sunday.
Image by Mike De Sisti

Police block the intersection near the corner of S. Howell Ave. and E. Rawson Ave. near the Sikh Temple, on 7512 S. Howell Ave., in Oak Creek, where the shooting occurred on Sunday August 5, 2012. Oak Creek August 5, 2012. Photo by Mike De Sisti / MDESISTI@JOURNALSENTINEL.COM
Image by Mike De Sisti

Family who have poeple in Sikh Temple, on 7512 S. Howell Ave., in Oak Creek, where the shooting occurred twait to hear information. Family members of people in the temple were trying to find information about their loved ones in Oak Creek on Sunday August 5, 2012. Oak Creek August 5, 2012. Photo by Mike De Sisti / MDESISTI@JOURNALSENTINEL.COM
Image by Mike De Sisti

Parminder Kaleka (left), whose brother in law was in the Sikh Temple, on 7512 S. Howell Ave., in Oak Creek, where the shooting occurred talks on her phone to get information. Family members of people in the temple were trying to find information about their loved ones in Oak Creek on Sunday August 5, 2012. Photo by Mike De Sisti / MDESISTI@JOURNALSENTINEL.COM
Image by Mike De Sisti

OAK CREEK- In the midst of tragedy -- the community rallied Tuesday night behind the victims' families and the entire Sikh faith.

This vigil was to remember those lives lost -- but to also show support and solidarity of the Sikh faith.

TODAY'S TMJ4's Keller Russell reports it was an emotional sight as thousands of people gathered at Henry Miller Park for the Oak Creek National Night Out where religion didn't separate, but united those there.

TODAY'S TMJ4's Keller Russell: "What is it like for you to see the huge amount of people here?"Sandeep Khattra: "Overwhelming, loving, it's just like I said, the support we've gotten is phenomenal."

Support that's holding Sandeep Khattra's family together. She's there to pay honor to her grandfather, Suveg Singh Khattra.

The 84-year-old is among the six murdered when Wade Michael Page opened fire inside their place of worship Sunday.

Also killed -- the temple's president, two priests and two other worshipers. Police call it a case of "domestic terrorism." But this candlelight vigil was to remember the lives lost -- where creed and color do not matter.

"When it comes to a time of crisis..we're all together. We stand as one," said Sandeep Khattra.

Community members joined in the Sikh custom of covering their heads with scarves -- a sign of respect. Members of the church marched in carrying flags symbolic of their faith. And even eyes too young to comprehend the gravity of the vigil, know the heartache around them.

Unity Sandeep Khattra hopes will last, for those who lost their lives.

Officials say that the man responsible for the massacre at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek legally purchased his semi-automatic handgun. Wade Michae Page bought the gun from the Shooter Shop in West Allis. It is a Springfield 9MM X-D handgun.

Page was the shooter, Oak Creek Police and federal officials confirmed. Police shot and killed him on scene Sunday after he killed six people attending the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.

"Sunday was a tragic day for our city, especially as it occurred at a place of worship," said Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi during the news conference.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victims, our wounded officer...and a community which is still in shock...There is no doubt in my mind that the heroic actions of our police officers prevented a greater tragedy."

"The Sikh community is part of what makes our city strong."

"Right now, the crime scene is still being worked by the FBI emergency response team," said Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards on "Live at Daybreak."

"They were out there last night, photographing, collective evidence. We're hoping they'll have that scene completed by midnight tonight."

A person familiar with the internal Oak Creek police investigation into Sunday's shooting at a Sikh temple says the officer who killed the shooter is Sam Lenda. There was no word of any injuries to that officer.

Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi tweeted, "I received a call from President Obama offering his condolences to our City. His words were comforting on a very difficult day."

Chief John Edwards said Sunday that they were investigating the shootings as an incident of domestic terrorism. They believed the dead gunman was responsible, but were still searching the area.

Police believe the shooter killed two victims outside, then went inside the temple and killed four more people.

According to reports, one man was shot in the face and extremities, while another was shot in the stomach.

"The emergency medical personnel, the tactical personnel who have gone through the scene, they have initially identified what they believe to be four deceased inside the temple, and three deceased outside the temple, one of whom is the shooter," said Greenfield Police Chief Brad Wentlandt.

Police did not initially identify any additional gunman on scene, but did not rule out the possibility of additional shooters.

"They went to church not knowing they might die today," said a woman who identified herself as the niece of the temple's president in an interview with Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Dan O'Donnell.

"My friend called and said 'I heard the shot, and two people falling down in the parking lot.' He saw the shooter reloading the gun again," said witness Suni Singh to O'Donnell.

There was no initial word on how many people were inside when the shooting happened. The temple holds hundreds of worshipers.

The Sikh Society of Wisconsin said they were meeting to decide how to proceed and "move forward after this tragic event. The society is headquartered in Madison. A member says the news is shocking. The society is still gathering all the information it can and will be reaching out to the Oak Creek Temple during its time of need."

"The city of Oak Creek is outraged by the senseless act of violence...our thoughts and prayers go out," said Mayor Steve Scaffidi.

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